Movie inspires us, entertains us, and convinces us about the subjects that are important in our life. Classical music has always been an important part of the movie for decades. Today, the classical genre is still at the paramount position. Here is the list of 13 insightful classical music movies.
The musical drama, starring the American singer/actor Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., and Catherine Keener has all the elements of an uplifting classical music flick. The movie was released in 2009. The Soloist is based on a true story. The powerful performances of Robert Downey Jr. as an LA Times Columnist and Jamie Foxx as an ex-music prodigy with an amazing talent who becomes homeless, make the movie gripping.
The movie is all about taking an exceptionally talented but underprivileged man to the heights that he always deserved. The impactful performances of the lead characters supported the unconvincing plot of the musical drama. As a music enthusiast, if you focus on the music part, it’s definitely a treat for the weekend.
The biography, as well as musical drama, has a moving plot that revolved around the life of a popular opera singer, Maria Callas who lives in her apartment surrounded in complete isolation. Her worn voice quality is ruining her career and developing an ocean of depression in her. This is killing her from inside. The movie beautifully portrays the character of a globally cherished talent who falls down terribly and loses her lush world. It’s a 70’s scenario with a classy essence when Opera was living its golden time. Jeremy Irons, a theater producer tries to pull Callas back to the limelight to save her from killing depression and isolation.
Disney’s animation comedy is a musical treat that is loved by all age groups. It’s a family flick that includes lots of good music and adorable stories to take to a fantasy world far away from the everyday noise and hustle. The 1999 released movie is the modern version of the original flick produced by the same company in 1940. The movie was created using advanced IMAX technology which helped the audience to discover a strong connection in the theaters.
One of the most appreciated musical dramas of the ’40s not only made it to the Oscars but also managed to win millions of hearts with its rich music, intriguing plot, and power-packed performances. The 1945 released flick was under the direction of a talented director Compton Bennett. The movie tells a compelling story, though the pretty common plot of that time, of a former globally famous pianist who goes through many traumatic experiences due to her, failed relationships. She is saved by Dr. Larsen and starts finding hope to get into a healthy relationship again. If classic musical dramas fascinate you, this flick is definitely your pick for the weekend.
The 70’s biography and musical drama brilliantly depict the life of an ace pianist Franz Liszt, who has tasted success and has a huge fan base. The piano virtuoso keeps his career aside in order to get more indulged in his multiple affairs. He gets possessive about his relationship with Richard Wagner, who was a composer and they used to create music together. After that, he gets fascinated with Princess Carolyne, whom he passionately wants to marry but the pope and Franz disallow their marriage through heartbreak. He chooses the monastic life after that incident and leaving all the fame, affairs, and wealth.
This movie tells the story of a successful quartet that has worked harmoniously for over 25 years but suddenly arrives at the state of splitting due to the personal reasons of the members. The movie is written and directed by Yaron Silberman, who is known for the masterpiece documentary creation. The cellist and the oldest members of the quartet, Peter suddenly comes to know about his Parkinson’s disease and decides to leave the group.
The group members become worried about their future. Every one of them starts finding the platform to establish their individual identity as musicians. On the other hand, Peter is busy finding a cellist who can take the reputation and growth of the group to the same heights where it used to be. The lives of all the group members become messy and bitter as conflicts find space in between their relationships.
7. Thirty-Two Short Films About Glenn Gould (1993)
The life and career of the exceptional Canadian talent, Glenn Gould has been broken into fragments and presented in the form of a 32-short film combination. Glenn Gould gained huge popularity with Goldberg Variations recording, and the musical drama portrays every big achievement as well as high and low phases of the unconventional Canadian pianist in a spectacular manner. For the music lovers, the film offers a 32-piece musical treat that is tough to draw a blank.
A brilliant biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart written by Khaled Salem is an awesome musical flick with gripping drama. The flick tells the story of the astonishingly talented Mozart who was blessed with exceptional composing skills. Mozart was the court composer of Joseph II, the Austrian Emperor. The movie mainly focuses on Mozart’s rival Salieri, who was always jealous of Mozart’s talent as himself had poor composing skills but have a great understanding of music.
The musical drama directed by Anand Tucker is the biography of a celebrated classic cellist Jacqueline du Pré. The plot is set in England and the time is 50’s. Two talented musician sisters who share a healthy competition with each other go on creating milestones in the field of music and dazzle the audience. The biography is told by Hilary, Jacqueline’s sister who mentions how high Jackie was in her career and how tragic her life became due to the professional strains. The glittering success no more fascinated her, and all she wanted was a simple and peaceful life with her family around.
The story is about the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven who was an unbelievingly talented and desirable man among the women. He had multiple affairs with various women when he was alive, but after his death, a letter was found which Beethoven wrote to her beloved, but the lady was unmentioned. The letter becomes a mystery, and the whole flick revolved around that mystery. A great visual and musical content can be expected while watching this movie.
A young boy, Geoffrey Rush is passionate about music and loves playing the piano. He is adored by his father and teachers. The excess love and expectations of an overbearing father help him reach the top levels in his blossoming career, but he is not able to carry the successful pianist tag well and falls down. He suffers from latent schizophrenia, visits many asylums, and finally recovers after proper treatment. The storyline is interesting but very common, and many flicks have impressed the audience with similar ‘success and then falling down’ plots. The music in the movie is worth appreciation.
The Music Lovers is a movie with great musical fragments and an off-beat plot which was definitely bold for the time when it was released. The movie is a biopic of the popular pianist Ilych Tchaikovsky who discovers that he is homosexual and marries Nina Miliukova, who turns out to be a nymphomaniac. The bold visuals and the amazing treat of Tchaikovsky’s music in the movie made it eminent among its contemporary flicks.
The movie, Mr. Holland’s Opus highlights the stressful journey of a successful classical music composer who finds it difficult to carry success with him all the time and chooses the career of a teacher. A great message is conveyed through the movie that success doesn’t mean the same for everyone. Mr. Holland finds peace and success in teaching music to his students and not becoming a superstar composer and being in the limelight. Richard Dreyfuss has convincingly played the intense role of Mr. Holland and raised the success stakes of the movie.